In 2008, Bryan Clay was on top of the world. Billions of people had just seen him become the world’s greatest athlete – winning the gold medal in the decathlon at the Beijing Olympic Games with his family by his side.
But Clay’s life wasn’t always gold medals and applause.
In his biography Redemption: A Rebellious Spirit, A Praying Mother, and the Unlikely Path to Olympic Gold (Thomas Nelson, ISBN# 9780849948275, $24.99, May 2012), Clay tells of his transformation from a unruly, fist-fighting, pre-suicidal kid to world champion. As the 2012 Summer Olympic Games approach in London, Clay looks to defend his gold medal and be the first decathlete to medal in three Olympics.
While giving a behind-the-scenes look into the world of U.S. Track and Field, Clay also shows how a strong work ethic and dedication can make success possible in not only athletic endeavors, but also in personal relationships and in parenthood. Readers can follow Clay as he works through the trials in his life by assessing the problem, researching the best solution, walking through the plan step-by-step in his head, and then acting with conviction.
“I still do not understand why God singled me out – why He made me a promise that I refused to believe for many years, a promise that seemed so unlikely, a promise to use me for good, even when I saw no good in my life. My mother had seen my destiny early on and reminded me of it many times. Now God had brought it to pass,” says Clay.
Bryan Clay watched by billions of television viewers in 2008, won decathlon gold in Beijing and the silver medal in Athens in 2004. Bryan enjoys coaching, hunting, fishing and the beach. He counts it an honor and a privilege to coach and inspire kids to make wise decisions, develop good time management skills, stay in school, follow their dreams and maintain a well-balanced lifestyle. Bryan, his wife Sarah, and their three children, live in Glendora, California.
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